Psychology Today Blindspotting Blog [Post #3] — The Hidden Costs of Your Greatest Strengths
In the second entry of my ongoing blog series for Psychology Today, I explore a counterintuitive idea: the strengths that help us succeed can also quietly work against us. When traits like confidence, curiosity, decisiveness, or empathy go unchecked, they can become blind spots that limit growth rather than fuel it.
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When your biggest advantages begin to undermine effectiveness.
Most leadership development focuses on identifying and amplifying strengths. But in this piece, The Hidden Costs of Your Greatest Strengths, I argue that over-reliance on any trait can create unintended consequences. Confidence can tip into arrogance. Curiosity can delay decisions. Empathy can blur boundaries. These aren’t character flaws—they’re natural extensions of strengths pushed beyond their useful range. The danger lies not in having strong traits, but in assuming they’re always assets.
The article builds on themes from Blindspotting by examining how self-awareness—not self-improvement—is often the missing ingredient in sustained success. Rather than asking “How do I get better at what I already do well?”, the more powerful question becomes “When does this strength stop serving me?” This post continues the broader Psychology Today series focused on helping leaders recognize subtle blind spots early, adapt intentionally, and grow with greater psychological agility.
